Victim Support Hub

Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives
2022-03-29 19:00 - 20:15 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
On March 29, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC) will present an online Expert Q&A discussion with Pamela Champlain and Janet Fine on “Establishing Victim Services Vicarious Trauma Response Collaboratives.”
While vicarious trauma is both a normal and inevitable response to working with victims of crime, there is growing recognition of the need to build trauma-informed organizations and supportive partnerships to mitigate the negative impacts of secondary trauma and expand opportunities to enhance resiliency. This session will provide an overview of OVC TTAC’s engagement with communities across the United States in developing and sustaining vicarious trauma peer-to-peer collaboratives.

United European Citizens for Ukraine
2022-03-29 12:30 - 14:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
We are currently in the middle of an unprecedented crisis in Europe. The invasion of Ukraine has redefined the parameters of what we imagined to be possible.
In this light, we are hosting this event to bring together citizens, civil society organisations, as well as Ukrainian representatives, to facilitate information sharing and horizontal discussion on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the future of Europe within that context. Especially as we are a group of civil society organisations, we want to showcase some actions by the Ukrainian civil society, what the state of it is now, and what we can do to support them.

The Resilience of Older Women and Climate Change
2022-03-24 15:00 - 16:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Expert panellists will discuss the role of behaviour in climate change and increased environmental risk, resulting in degradation of all human rights. Speakers will discuss current lifespan initiatives and best practices across the globe, highlighting regions and activities where older women are taking the lead in mitigating negative outcomes.
SPEAKERS:

Amal Abou Rafeh, Chief of Programme on Ageing, UN DESA
Toni C. Antonucci, PhD, IAGG Secretary General, University of Michigan Collegiate Professor, Moderator and Discussant
Martha Bial, PhD, Fordham University and IAGG UN Representative
Nancy A. Pachana, PhD, clinical geropsychologist and co-director of the University of Queensland Ageing Mind Initiative
Michael Smyer, PhD, founder/CEO of Growing-Greener.org, Climate Action for a Warming World

Parallel Event with the NGO Commission on the Status of Women66Forum Parallel Event March 24, 202210:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST
Registration Required

LEAP Annual Conference - (Re)imagining justice: A new era for fair trials?
2022-03-14 16:00 - 2022-03-18 18:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The 2022 LEAP annual conference will focus on the future of fair trials in Europe, examining the fundamental flaws in our current systems and what we can do to rectify them.

Whistleblower Protection in Europe
2022-03-10 00:00 - 2022-03-11 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
The Academy of European Law will organise a hybrid conference with high-level speakers from different sectors which will bring legal practitioners up-to-date on the latest regulatory developments, legislative initiatives, and case law on whistleblowing.
Whistleblower Protection in Europe
Focus on Directive (EU) 2019/1937
Brussels/Online (hybrid), 10-11 March 2022
Key topics
• EU Whistleblowers’ Directive implementation
• Trade secrets
• Data protection
• Support and protection measures
• Public disclosures
• Reporting channels
• Relevant ECtHR and CJEU case law
• Best practice
Further information: http://www.era.int/?131171&en
VSE’s members and friends are offered a 25% discount on the standard fee. To benefit from the 25% discount please enter the voucher code discount “422D127whprot” if you register online.

CJPE Webinar: Victim’s Rights in Prison & Probation – What is our Role?
2022-03-03 11:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels)
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the EU Victims’ Rights Directive and of the evaluation process promoted by the European Commission concerning its implementation in Europe, this webinar organised by the Criminal Justice Platform Europe aims to explore the role of prison and probation services in ensuring victim’s rights. What are the important elements of the Victims’ Rights Directive in this regard and what are the lessons learned? In particular, how do prison and probation services address the victims’ right to information? Starting with practice examples from prison and probation services the webinar will discuss the broader situation of victims’ rights in different legal systems and specifically in prison and probation. The webinar will also focus on the need of an interagency systemic approach and on how these fields could better coordinate their work with victim support services and other (e.g. restorative justice) services coming into contact with victims.

Live Debate: Future of Justice for Victims in the European Union
2022-02-22 14:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
On the European Day for Victims of Crime, Victim Support Europe is organising an online live debate on the “Future of Justice for Victims in the European Union“. We kindly invite you to join this online event that will take place on Tuesday 22 February 2022, between 14:00 and 16:00 CET.

With this event, we aim to take the debate forward and explore the fundamentals of achieving a safe justice system. The principles of safe justice and its application in practice will be outlined, followed by a live testimony of Nina Fuchs – a showcase of the structural and systematic discrimination that victims of sexualised violence are exposed to by the judiciary. Building on a victims’ perspective in accessing justice and the practical barriers they face, we will conduct the debate on the following key discussion points:

Tackling underreporting of crimes;
Ensuring victims’ access to information, support and protection throughout the criminal justice process;
Ensuring active participation of victims in the criminal justice process;
Availability of reparations and remedies for victims.

The objective of this discussion is to explore the possibilities and to present approaches which may better serve victims and their community in achieving safe justice.

The live debate will be hosted on ZOOM. We kindly ask to register in advance for this event here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The event it is organised as part of the Conference on the Future of Europe. The Conference provides the opportunity for European citizens to debate on Europe’s challenges and priorities and to put forward recommendations. Everyone is welcome to join the debate and express their opinion upon registration here.

Victims’ Voices, Victims’ Rights
2022-02-22 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Dublin)
You are invited to attend a special event marking European Day for Victims of Crime on 22nd February 2022. Organised by the national Crime Victims Helpline in conjunction with the Irish Tourist Assistance Service, Victims’ Rights Alliance, and Victim Support at Court, the afternoon online seminar is an opportunity for people working in victim support services and the criminal justice system to commemorate the day in Ireland.
Agenda
12:45-13:00 Log-in
13:00 Welcome
Michele Puckhaber, Crime Victims Helpline
13:10 Opening
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee
13:25 Victims’ Voices Panel
Moderated by Dympna Kenny, Victim Support at Court
Panelists
Colm Smyth
Hazel Larkin
Buzz O’Neill-Maxwell
Ailbhe Griffith
15:10
Break
15:25 Crime Victims’ Rights: An EU and Irish Perspective
Moderated by Maeve Lewis, Victims Rights Alliance/One in Four
Panelists
TBA, Victim Support Europe
Sarah O’Malley, Irish Council for Civil Liberties
16:30
Closing
Lisa Kennedy, Irish Tourist Assistance Service
16:45 End Webinar

Tackling Gang Crime: Preventing Violence and Exploitation, Supporting Young People and Strengthening Police Responses
2022-02-17 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
This symposium provides an important opportunity to cultivate a holistic understanding of gang violence and the factors which contribute to gang membership across the UK. This entails an examination of current efforts to prevent the spread of gang violence and an identification of areas in which stakeholders might better collaborate in order to take greater action and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and intimidation.

The efficacy of memorialisation after terrorism
2022-02-08 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels)
On the 8th of February 2022, European Observatory on Memories (EUROM) will organise a morning session (10am-12pm) on the question of efficacy of memorialisation after terrorism with our distinguished speakers:

Mr Florian Jehin*, a victim of the Radisson Blu attack in Bamako
Mr Bas Smets, landscape architect
Mrs Lea Meindre-Chautrand, VSE Policy Officer
Mr Philippe Vansteenkiste*, V-Europe
Mr Jordi Rabassa, Barcelona City Council member
Mrs Ana Milosevic, Lead researcher on the project

The event will be moderated by David Gonzalez Vazquez , EUROM.

During this online event, Dr. Ana Milosevic will present the Policy brief on the memorialisation of terrorist attacks and the exhibition “When time stood still“ as key results of this one-year project co-funded by the Open Society Foundations.

The live streaming will take place on our Youtube Channel and via Zoom: https://ub-edu.zoom.us/j/98226828126?pwd=[REDACTED]

No pre-registration required.

Launch of the Model Legislative Provisions for Victims of Terrorism
2022-02-04 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Online
The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism/UN Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNOCT/UNCCT), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), invite you to the Launch of the Model Legislative Provisions, which will take place virtually on Friday 4 February at 8:30am EST.
The event aims to bring together Member States, Members of Parliament, United Nations entities and civil society organizations, victims’ associations and victims of terrorism for the official Launch of the model legislative provisions and to discuss how legal frameworks can strengthen national support for the rights and needs of victims.
Victims of terrorist acts frequently suffer severe, multiple and lifealtering injuries, akin to harm suffered by victims of grave human
rights violations and international crimes. In addition to other forms of
reparation, compensation for harm suffered can play an important role
in enabling victims to move on with their lives.
The purpose of developing model legislative provisions was twofold. First,
they will serve as a model for the review of existing laws and procedures
related to victims of terrorism in line with recent advances on this subject
matter and the development of legislation where no legislation exists.
Secondly, the provisions can systematize and promote the exchange of
information regarding existing good practices. Additionally, the development
of model provisions can serve to draw attention to the urgency of taking
concrete steps to protect, assist and support victims of terrorism.
In the framework of the IPU-UN Joint Programme on Countering Terrorism
and Violent Extremism, between November 2020 and January 2021, UNOCT,
UNODC and IPU convened a series of virtual expert consultations on specific
themes to be covered by the model legislative provisions. These virtual
consultations followed the organization of an online Expert Consultation on
Model Provisions regarding victims of terrorism organized on 14–15 July
2020 with participants from national institutions, parliaments, civil society
organizations and academic institutions as well as experts from other parts
of the United Nations system and from regional organizations. The Model
Legislative Provisions for Victims of Terrorism have been developed with
the support of a core group of experts composed of different UN Entities,
academia, representative of victims’ associations and victims themselves.
The event aims to bring together Member States, Members of Parliament,
United Nations entities and civil society organizations, victims’ associations
and victims of terrorism for the official Launch of the model legislative
provisions and to discuss how legal frameworks can strengthen national
support for the rights and needs of victims.
Please kindly express your availability by registering using the following link no later than Thursday 3 February 2022 COB.

VSE Autumn Conference 2021 - SAFE JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS: Transforming Justice Systems/Future Trends
2021-12-03 00:00 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
The conference programme will be organised around the compressive victim support model to expand our collective understanding of approaches to safe justice especially as they align with other systems, such as via victim support, education, health care, social and community services, private sector, etc.

Centre of Excellence
2021-10-19 00:00 - 2021-10-20 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Brussels
Workshop on distance support and 116 006 helpline for victims in Europe.

Webinar – Coming together and re-connecting
2021-09-30 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels) | VSE hub – online
COVID restrictions have made it a difficult 18 months to connect and have space to talk about our work and listen to others. We know these opportunities to learn from each other are one of the most valuable aspects of our network which is why we want to create this moment where we can all talk and hear about the amazing work you are all doing. A moment to come together as a community hearing from new and seasoned VSE members alike.
During the event, you will have a chance to showcase your activities, projects, challenges and successes and explore how we may be supportive of each others’ work. We hope the event will also act as inspiration to others, and to that end we would invite you to send us a short video of one activity that you feel will inspire others. The videos will be presented during the event, and will also be available at the VSE Hub.
If you’re interested in preparing a video, please send us an email with a short description of the activity/project you would like to present to: s.haimov@victimsupporteurope.eu

Unrequited Love: Stalking & Harassment within an Ex-Partner Context
2021-08-26 17:30 - 19:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
UWS & Centre for Action Against Stalking’s seminar will focus on the differences between stalking & harassment within an ex-partner context.

About this event

The seminar will focus the intrinsic differences between Stalking and Harassment within an ex-partner context, its links to femicide, the legal and mental health context under which the behaviours arise, lessons learned, where are we now and what needs to change.
Speakers:
Tricia Bernal – CEO of Protection Against Stalking.
Tricia’s daughter Claire was murdered by Michael Pech, a man she only dated for three weeks before ending the relationship. Pech stalked her for weeks mainly targeting her at London’s exclusive Harvey Nichols, where she worked as a beauty consultant. Claire pleaded with the Police to take her seriously but at that time stalking was not recognised as a precursor to murder, never mind a crime. Tricia has continued to campaign for change in addressing his crime.
Dr Jane Monckton Smith – Professor of Public Protection
Dr Jane Monckton Smith is Professor of Public Protection at the University of Gloucestershire. She has authored a new theoretical framework for tracking homicide risk in cases of domestic abuse and stalking. Her wider body of work is acknowledged as having societal impact and influence, and is described as outstanding and innovative.
In addition to academic work she maintains a wide portfolio of professional and case work. This includes Chairing statutory Domestic Homicide Reviews, advising panels and investigations on complex and high profile murders, advising and training professionals in threat and risk assessment, and working with organisations like the police in developing policy and practice. She acts as an expert witness and also helps families bereaved through homicide with various criminal justice processes, through her work with charitable organisations.
Dr Rachael Wheatley – Forensic Psychologist, HMPPS, UK
Rachael Wheatley works with stalking offenders within a custodial setting with an emphasis on what drove their behaviour and how practitioners can respond to this in relation to considering desistance from further offending.
Hamish Brown MBE – A specialist in the offence of stalking and harassment
Hamish Brown MBE is the recognised leading authority on the interpretation and application of stalking legislation in the United Kingdom. In 2004 Hamish retired from New Scotland Yard’s Specialist Crime Directorate after over 30 years service with the Metropolitan Police. Hamish now offers his services as a consultant, trainer and lecturer on stalking legislation, celebrity stalking and workplace violence as well as one-to-one advice for those in fear of being stalked the author of the Metropolitan Police advice leaflet ‘ Protection from Stalking and Harassment: A Guide to minimising the risk to children
This Seminar will take place on Zoom. The link will be sent out after registration.
To reserve a place for this free online seminar please click the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/copy-of-unrequited-love-stalking-harassment-within-an-ex-partner-context-tickets-160780295191

Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections
2021-08-20 15:00 - 16:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
To mark the International Day, the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)/the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT), in collaboration with the Group of Friends of Victims of Terrorism, are holding an online high-level event entitled ‘Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections’ with the participation of the United Nations Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres and will features testimonies from victims of terrorism and closing remarks from Under-Secretary-General Mr. Vladimir Voronkov.

A short film “Surviving Terrorism: The Power of Connections” will be launched, which features testimonies of victims and survivors of terrorism from across the world reciting a collective ode and sharing why connections is important. This will be followed by an interactive discussion featuring victims and victims’ associations to discuss the importance of connections and how to strengthen the rights and needs of victims.

Accessible and Sustainable Psychological Support to Victims of Terrorism
2021-08-20 10:00 - 11:30 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The focus of the event is on victims’ psychological and psychosocial support, highlighting UNODC’s project on supporting victims of terrorism in Iraq within the criminal justice framework, including through psychological support, in cooperation with the Lebanese Association for Victims of Terrorism (AVT-L), with funding from the Netherlands.

Victims' rights in Europe - why do they matter for offender reintegration?
2021-07-07 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels)
The Confederation of European Probation is organising a Webinar on Victims’ Rights.
Victims’ rights in Europe evolved in the past years, and the European Commission launched its first-ever Victims’ Rights Strategy in 2020.
What are the important elements of this Strategy? What are the implications for probation, prison, and restorative justice? How could these fields support victims’ rights and make their work more informed on victims’ needs? What about vulnerable victims, such as victims in detention?
This webinar explores the intersections between victims’ rights and offender reintegration, and that how these fields can mutually support each other.
Speakers:

Alena Koudelkova – European Commission, Victims’ Rights Team
Laure Baudrihaye-Gérard – Legal Director, Fair Trials
Levent Altan – Executive Director, Victim Support Europe

Presentations are followed by a discussion, in the presence of CEP, EuroPris and EFRJ directors.
Link for info and registration: https://www.cep-probation.org/events/criminal-justice-platform-webinar-on-victims-rights/

International Conference on Child-Friendly Justice: “Can Justice be Child-Friendly? – National and International Perspectives”
2021-06-30 00:00 - 2021-07-01 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
The event aims to provide a platform for discussion of the level of transposition and implementation of two EU Directives: Directive (EU) 2016/800 and Directive (EU) 2012/29 as well as of the approaches and practices in three member states – Bulgaria, Italy and Romania.

Beyond the tip of the iceberg: Sexual violence in Belgium
2021-06-17 09:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Helsinki)

Webinar session: The funding & tenders portal for beginners
2021-05-27 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/Brussels)

Annual General Meeting 2021
2021-05-26 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Brussels) | Online
Every year, members of Victim Support Europe attend the AGM to share lessons learned and explore strategies for the advancement of victims’ rights. The event is an opportunity to network with other VSE members, strengthen our work, and empower the community of advocates dedicated to the cause.

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We will focus on following main points:• Voting for President, Vice-President & Board Members• Approval of VSE Financial Report• Brief update on VSE work
